Sanitizing the Nation or His Image: Cultural Boundaries, Caste Labor, and Modi’s Appropriation of Gandhi in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyān

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyān (SBA) is a sanitation program that has created hundreds of millions of toilets across India. However, amid reports of toilets malfunctioning and falling into disuse, a closer look is warranted to understand the underpinnings of these findings. Thus, this thesis aims to examine the extent to which the SBA, despite its positive effects can, has been used as a political tool by Prime Minister Modi. This is examined by investigating (1) how the SBA has not adequately addressed cultural and religious barriers to toilet construction, (2) how the SBA has failed to effectively root out caste-based discrimination in manual scavenging in India, and, lastly, (3) how Prime Minister Modi has appropriated Gandhian symbols and ideals in the implementation of this initiative. This research was conducted through a socio-political lens, drawing on secondary sources, including mainly peer-reviewed publications in public health and South Asian studies. This research is essential to understand why the program has not been as effective as expected and to uncover how political aspirations have undermined its benevolent intentions. The remaining 19% of the population that continues to engage in open defecation must be provided with the proper alternatives and access in order for the nation to see sustainable and lasting change in the sanitation landscape. This thesis aims to understand what some of the missing components are in the current scheme to solve open defecation in India.